Sign



B. E. MAXON Feb. 18, 1930.

SIGN

Filed July 30 1927 2 Sheets-Shget 1 LAMP BULBS Feb. 18, 1930.

B. E. 'MAX ON SIGN Filed July 50', 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v Patented Feb. 18, 1930 PATENT QFFTCE v 'BR'UGE E. :MAXON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO SIGN Application fiIed July so, 1927. Serial No. 209,518.

My invention relates to an improved sign in which an object is a novel combination of illumination with certain enhancing effects produced by vapors of marked characteristics or in which combinations of vapors with suitable illumination are employed to create weird, mysterious, alluring and yet thoroughly legible results.

A further object is to produce an improved sign which in adapting itself to the use of vapors and sources of illumination in cooperation, may be controlled in its functioning with suitable pressure, thermostatic or wind operated instrumentalities.

These and other objects are attained in the embodiments disclosed in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: e h

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a form of my invention employing an illuminated sign of the usual electric sign type with vapor distributing apparatus associated therewith, with a suggestion for thermostatic or pressure control of the vapor.

Fig. 2 is an amplified form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, in which mechanism is employed for wind control of the vapor discharge, with additional illumination provisions for color flood lighting of the vapor.

Fig. 3 is a slightly simplified form of the invention employing only a vapor and flood lighting combination with a pressure or thermostatic control device.

Fig. 4 is a form employing'the same general idea as is shown in Fig. 3, but utilizing the idea of mixing vapors of different characteristics in the present of a scheme of flood light- The form of my invention shown in Fig. 1 consists of a sign of the usual electric type in that suitable supports of character outline are employed with the usual electric bulbs 5 for illumination of the outline. Associated V with this character arrangement is a vapor projecting device consisting of piping 6 leading from a main pipe 7 in which a pressure or thermostatic valve 8 is or may be located.

This piping 6 preferably extends beneath the sign legend and up the sides thereof, with nozzles 9 at intervals along the length of the piping in position to discharge vapor across the illuminated character outlines. The

vapor employed in this form of the invention is preferablysteam and is projected from the nozzles in a series of jets which form clouds of steam 10. This cloud like atmosphere surrounding the lamp bulbs 5 gives a most surprising and pleasing effect asof illumination coming from a cloud with an outlinewhich assumes a shape of legibility. If the device 8 is a pressure regulating valve the emission of steam may be depended upon to be substantially uniform regardless of Variation in pressure, but if the device 8 isof a thermostatic character the effect will be toincrease the flow of steam in cold weather while in warm weather it will reduce the flow of steam.

Fig. 2 shows an idea which is a substantial duplicate of that shown in Fig. 1, with the exception that the pressure or thermostatic valve 8 is eliminated and in lieu thereof there is substituted one or more wind controlled valves 11 and 12. For example, if the wind is blowing as from the left hand side of the sign .as shown in Fig. 2, the vanes 13 and 14 on the respective valves 11 and 12 are arranged so as to swing as shown to open valve 11 and close valve 12. The result is that the nozzles 15 of pipe 16 will emit steam for discharge across the face of the sign while the lower row of nozzles 17 which are not so controlled, project steam continuously. Now if the wind should reverse in direction the 1102- of vapor supply is made to take the outline of the sign characters instead of the lamp bulbs being used therefor. This isv accomplishedby making the pipes 22, which carry 7 the nozzles 23, to conform with the outline of 2b flattenedout effect of the cloud thus fobtalned the characters and then locating the nozzles 1 thereon in closely spaced relation so that the cloud of vapor will take on the form of the i outline of the character. These pipe out lines are mounted suitably on the supply piping 24 to which'the thermostatic or other control device 25 .is attached. In order to ob tain the necessary illumination of the cloud like character shapes of vapor I have pro to enhance the eflect. V

28, whichcarry .nozzles29 and 30 located to- I g 0 Vided the flood lighting sources 26, which I may be of a varied color character in order Fig. 4; discloses an amplification of the idea shown in'Fig. 3, in that the supply pipes mount duplicate Charac'ter'outIines '27 and face each other. The result of simultaneous discharge from these facing nozzlesisto cause thejets of vapor'tocollide'with each otherhead on as it were and thus producea and in a measure creating a moreribbon like characteristic ofthe character outlines thus produced, Floodlightning 3l may then be placed to. illuminate these vaporcharacter outlines'land in colorif desired. Up to the description of- Fig. 4 I have probably given 7 'the impression that I contemplate the use of nothing but steam asa vapor. I Nevertheless this is-notjmy intentiomin that the construction'just described is intended primarilyjfor the usage of two gases which, when brought a into contact with each other will forinacloud of definite-chemicalcomposition. *Ofjcourse it is quitepossible to rearrange which is the chemicalresultant of two' gases the elements of-the forms I have shown and to formothercombinations thereof so that otherpleasing and novel effects mayloepro ".duced, but it is apparentthat such changes will not deviate'from the spirit and scope ments .havingthe shape of the Characters to be displayed, a vapor su-pply pipe connected with the vapor discharging element, a valve in the pipe, and wind-controlled vane atvtached "to the valve and automatically-con.-

' vapor .discharge'element.

. mentioned element-tocontrolthe discharge I 1 6-5 of vapor therefrom, -and a' van e responsive trolling it :to govern the functioning of the :2. A sign or display device comprising twoelements, one of said elements affording illumination, the other. of said elements affording .a discharge ofvapor into the presto wind variation, connected with said means i and controlling it to affectthe functioning of the second mentioned element.

'8. A sign or display device comprisingan element shaped to character outline and bearing means for illulninatingit, a source of vapor discharge exterior to and adjacent to the elementfor creating a cloud of vapor in the presence of the illumination, a valve associated with the source of vapor discharge,

. and means connectedwith the valve, responsive to air current variation and functioning charge source. a 4. A sign or display device comprising two l'tO cause the valve to control the vapor dis- 7 elementsspaced apart, one of said elements afl'ordingillumination, the other of said elemen-ts discharging a supply of vapor into the presence ofKthe illumination, one of said element-s havingthe shape of the characters to be displayed, a vane responsive to. wind variation, and a valve associated with the vapor-discharge element and operatedby the vane to control the functioning of the vapor discharge element to bring about vapor illu-. m'ination at such timesflasvapor would iloev car i d by the wind acrossthe path of light V fromthe source of illumination.

5. A' sign or disp-laydevice comprising j f affording illuminatiomthe nther of saidele-j ments afiording a discharge ofvapor in the-- elements spaced apart, one of said elements presence of the illumination, and a vane .re sponsive to wind variation, .connectedwith one of the elements to control the functioningthereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature. I l BRUCE vE. MAX ON.

ion

ence'ofthe illuminatiomone of said elements having the shape of the chara-ctersto be displayed, meansconnected with the second 

